Carbon Black, often referred to as Lamp Black, was originally created by collecting the soot, or lampblack from oil lamps but is now obtained from the soot of burned fat, oil, tar, or resin. Carbon black has been in use since prehistoric times, and is probably the oldest pigment known to mankind. While it has a long and honorable history, most artists prefer either Ivory Black or the newer Mars Black for most purposes. Mixed with white, it creates grey with a cool, bluish undertone.